Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-05-13
KING
Solomon Mines.
BY II. RIDER HAGGARD.

We had kept careful note of the days,
so were able to answer that it was.
Very good: then here we have it-'4th
June, total eclipse Of the sun commences at
LIS Greenwich time, visible in these islands
Africa, ETC. There's sign for you. Tell
them that YOU will darken the sun to-lnor-
row."
The idea was splendid one; indeed, the
only fear about it was fear lest Goods al
inanac might be incorrect IL we made
false prophecy on such a subject our pres
tige would be gone forever, and so would
Ignosi's chance of the throne OF the Kukua-
mas.
Suppose the almanac is wrong" suggest
ed Sir Henry to Good, who was busily en-
pIoyed In working out something on fly
leaf OF the book.
II doa't see any reason to suppose any
thing of the sort" was his answer. 'Eclip-
ses always come up to time; at least that is
my experience OF them. and it especially
states that it will be visible in Africa.
have worked out the reckOningS as well
as | can, without knowing our exact posi-
toa; and make out that the eclipse should
begin here about one O'Clock tomorrow and
last till half-past two. For half an hour or
more there should be total darkness"
We'll" said Sir Henry, II suppose we
had better risk it."
/ acquesced though doubtfully, for eclipses
are queer cattle to deal with, and sent UNI
bopa to summons the chiefs back. Presently
they came, and addressed them thus
Great men Of the Kukuanas, and thou,
InfadoGs, listen. We are not fond of show
ing our powers, since to do so is to interfere
with the course of nature, and plunge the
world into fear and confusion; but as this
matter is a great one, and rs we are angered
against the king because of the slaughter we
have seen. and because OF the act OF the
Inanusi GagoOl, who would have put our
friend Ignosi to death, we have determined
10 do 50. and to give such sign as all men
may see. Come hithcr.' and | led them to
the door OF the hut and pointed to the fiery
ball Of the rising sun; ''what see ye there?"
We see the rising sum-" answered the
spokesman Of the party.
at Is 50. Now tell me, can any mortal
man put out that sun, so that night comes
down on the land at midday"
The chief laughed a little. mo, my lord
that no man can do. The sun Is stronger
than man who looks on him"
y e say SO. Yet tell you that this day,
one hour after midday, will we put out that
sun for "A space Of an hour, and darkness
Sign that we are indeed men of honor and
that lgnOsi is indeed King of the Kukuanas.
If we do this thing will it satisfy YEP
Yea, my lords" answered the old chief
with a smile, which was reflected on the
faces Of his companions; III ye do this thing
we will be satisfied indeed
ut shall be done; we three, Incubu the
Elephant BOngwan the clear-eycd, and Ma
cumaZahn, who watches in the night have
said it, and it shall he done. DOst thou hear
IntadOos?"
II hear my lord, but it is wonderful
thing that ye promise, TO put out the sun, the
father of all things, who shines forever"
Yet shall we do it, lnfadOos"
ut Is well, my lords. To-day, a little af-
ter midday, will Twala send for my lords to
witness the girls dance and one hour after
the dance begins shall the girl whom Twala
thinks tho faircst be killed by Scragga, the
kings son, as n sacrifice to the silent stone
ones, who sit and keep watch by tho noun
tains yOnder," and he pointed to the three
strengthening peaks where SolOmon's
Road was supposed to end. Then let my
lords dartcn the sun, and save the maidens
life, and the people will indeed believe"
"Ay." said the old chief, still smiIinga
little the people will believe indeed"
Two miles from Loo" went on lnfadoOS,
there is a hill curved like the new moon,
stronghold, where my regiment, and three
other regiments which these men command,
are stationed. This morning we will make
Il plan whereby other regiments, two or
three, may be moved there also. Then If
my lords can indeed darllen the sun, in the
darkness | will take my lords by the hand
and lead them out of Loo to this place,
where they shall be safe, and thence can we
make war upon Twala, the king"
at is good" said L. Now, leave us to
sleep awhile ana make ready our magic"
lntadOos rose, ami. having sauted us, de-
parted with the chiefs.
MY friends" said Ignosi, as soon as they
were gone, "can ye indeed do this wonder
full thing or were yc speaking empty words
% the mcn"'
1--WE believe that we can do it, Umb1pa-
Ignosi, mean"
at is strange" he answered, 'and had We
not been Englshmen | would not have be-
licyed II; hut English gentlemen tell no
lies. Ii we live through the matter, be sure
/ will repay yer
'Ignosi," said Sir Henry promise me
one thing"
II Will promise, Incubu, my friend even
before hear It," answered the big man
with smile. "What is itP"
This; that If YOU ever como to be king of
this people You will do away with the smell
ling out of witches such ms we have seen
last night; and that the killing of men with.
out trial shall not take place in the land"
lgnosi thought for a moment after | had
translated this and then answered:
The ways of black people are not the
ways of white men, lncubu nor do we hold
lite rs high rs ye. Yet will promise it. II
it be IN my power to hold them back. the
wtch-hudcrs shall hunt no NOR, nor shall
any man die the death withou; Judgment"
That's bargain, then, said Sir Henry;
"aud now let us get a little rest"
Thoroughly wcaried out, we were soon
sound asleep and slept till Ignosi woke us
about eleven o'clock Then we got up.
washed, and ate n hearty breakfast not
knowing when we should get any moro food
After that we went outside the hut and
stared ut the sum- which we were distressed
10 observe presented respectable appear
nnee, without sign of an eclipse anywhere
about H.
Il hope 1t Will come or" said Sir Henry,
douhuuIN. False prophets often lind
themselves Ia painful positions"
III 1t does not il will soon he up with us"
| answered, moumlully; TOR So sure rs we
are living men some of those chiefs will tell
the whole story to the king, ana then there
will be another sort of an eclipse, and one
that we shall not like"
Returning To the hut we dressed ourselves,
putting on the mail shirts which the king
had sent us rs before. Scarcely had we
done 50 when 4 messenger came from Iva
Ia 10 bid us 10 the great annual dance Of
girls which was about 10 be celebrated.
Taking our rifles and ammunition with us
SO rs 10 have them handy in case we had to
lily, "a suggested Ivy Iutadoos, we started
boldly enough. though with inward fear and
trembling. The great space In front of the
kings kaal presented a very different APP
pearancc from what II had done on the pre-
Nious evening. In the place of the grim
ranks OF the Serried warriors were company
after company OF Kukuana girls, not over
dressed, So far rs clothing went but each
crowned with y wreath of flowers, and hold |
ing n palm-lcaf in one hand and tall white
lily (the G.-tml in the other. In the center
of the open space sat Twala, the king, with
Gagool ut his feet attended by lnfadoOS, the
boy Scragga, and about q dozen guards. |
There We're also present about 4 score of
chiefs, amongst whom l recognized most of
our friends of the night before.
Twala greeted us with much apparent cor
duality. though | saw him fix his one eve
sciouSly ON Umbopa.
Welcome white men from the stars, The